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The American Car Show attracted some
interesting cars last year so it was listed as a club
event for 2009 and once again there were some
interesting cars to inspect and interesting people to
talk to.
The day began for me in the dark with the promise of a
free breakfast from the Pittwater Rotary Club, that is,
if your car was in place between 6AM and 7AM. I am
not at my best on Sunday morning so by the time I “got
the show on the road’ and drove to Warriewood the free
breakfast was over and my hunger was increasing.
Perry Peterson and Helen beat me through the front gate
by a car length and we found Brenden Walker and his
61Hawk already camped in our designated area. (I never
did ask if he was early enough for the free breakfast)
Next to arrive were the Swedish connection, Steve and
Peter Leyden in their respective vehicles. Steve did not
arrive with his truck in the covered wagon mode probably
in the interest of speed over the ground. Anything over
a horse walk would create a huge drag factor and a
massive increase in fuel consumption.
Steve quickly erected the covered wagon canopy that made
it look like a chuck wagon and further reminded me I had
not had breakfast.
Perry has done a bit more work on the black Lark Hardtop
and tells me he has a red Lark Hardtop that he is
working on. I was thinking, Perry has had more
Studebakers than I have had hot breakfasts that of
course made me even hungrier.
Next was a tour of some of the brand x’s with Brendon
Walker with about 200 to look at.
Brendon’s knowledge of cars, any brand, was amazing he
must have spent most of his life memorizing car facts.
When looking at the Corvettes he knew all about the
Corvette prototype with a mid engine twin rotor power
plant not a widely know bit of GM history.
The only Graham Page present was interesting as the
owner Herman Zap his wife, Candelaria and their small
children had driven it from Argentina or at least to the
closest ports. Their dream was to drive around the world
in this wooden spoked car and began at Beunos Aires and
continued to Purdoc Bay, Alaska. The trip included
shipping the car up the Amazon River on a small barge
and driving across the deserts of USA, a remarkable feat
considering they have a car built in the 20’s no sponsor
and little money other than that generated by selling
copies of their book “Spark Your Dream”.
I spoke to their son who was about seven years old and
was impressed by his perfect English and confidence,
what a great adventure for a small boy. He will probably
become a knowledgeable Graham Page mechanic as they have
had their share of breakdowns.
For more about this amazing eight year adventure go to
www.sparkyourdream.net
A stand out car to my eyes was the 30’s two door Dodge
complete with Dickie seat and beautiful Art Deco
features. The detail of the restoration was stunning.
The owner bought it on the internet sight unseen, from a
US lady, she and her late husband had one each. Although
the A$ was @US.95 at the time of purchase he is a braver
man than me.
An eighty six year old gentleman came up to talk to us,
said he once had a super charged Hawk. The super charger
kept destroying bearings so often he removed it from the
car. Then tried to fit the supercharger to a flat head
Ford, sacrilege!
It was now one o clock and my wife Birgit and daughter
Sascha arrived with very nice lunch which I now called
breakfast, well, Frank Sinatra used to have breakfast
between 1 and 2PM.
The day became very hot and cars started to drift off so
after checking the automotive books for sale we packed
the chairs and sun umbrella away in the Lark.
We said good buy to Bob Radnidge and congratulated both
him and Kevin Monk on organising a top day and headed
home for The Hills.
Gary. |
